G. Riccobene, INFN-LNS Nikhef, May 24-25, 2012 Giorgio Riccobene INFN-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud Abyssal undular vortices in the Eastern Mediterranean basin ASPERA Workshop From the Geosphere to the Cosmos Deep ocean Cabled Observatories May 2012 Nikhef, Amsterdam

G. Riccobene, INFN-LNS Nikhef, May 24-25, 2012 NEMO and KM3NeT INFN funded NEMO with the goal of constructing a km 3 scale underwater detector for astrophysical neutrinos in the Mediterranean Sea at >3500 m Activities: Search and characterization of deep sea sites Detector architecture design Technological demonstrators Realization of an infrastructure for the km3 Activities: Search and characterization of deep sea sites Detector architecture design Technological demonstrators Realization of an infrastructure for the km3 More than 80 researchers from INFN and other Italian institutes NEMO is part of the KM3NeT Consortium KM3NeT-Italy in Capo Passero NEMO is part of the KM3NeT Consortium KM3NeT-Italy in Capo Passero

G. Riccobene, INFN-LNS Nikhef, May 24-25, 2012 The Capo Passero Site Depth >3500 m, 90 km distance from the shore Excellent water optical properties (L a ≈ 70 = 440 nm) Optical background from bioluminescence extremely low Deep sea water currents are low and stable (3 cm/s avg, 10 cm/s max) Wide abyssal plain: large extension of the detector Depth >3500 m, 90 km distance from the shore Excellent water optical properties (L a ≈ 70 = 440 nm) Optical background from bioluminescence extremely low Deep sea water currents are low and stable (3 cm/s avg, 10 cm/s max) Wide abyssal plain: large extension of the detector The site selected for the km 3 detector lies on a flat and wide plateau far from the shelf break (reduced risks) CP Site More than 30 naval campaigns seeking deep sea sites in the Mediterranean Sea. Capo Passero is an optimal site. Monitoring of site properties continues. More than 30 naval campaigns seeking deep sea sites in the Mediterranean Sea. Capo Passero is an optimal site. Monitoring of site properties continues.

G. Riccobene, INFN-LNS Nikhef, May 24-25, 2012

G. Riccobene, INFN-LNS Nikhef, May 24-25, 2012 Deep sea currents monitoring Long-term mooring to monitor oceanic abyssal currents in the Eastern Mediterranean basin at the Capo Passero (KM4) site Current metre mooring lines equipped with Acoustic Doppler Current Metres deployed in Capo Passero Site since Mooring Depths: 2000, 3000 and 3400 m. CTD profiles in the area ~twice per year Current metre mooring lines equipped with Acoustic Doppler Current Metres deployed in Capo Passero Site since Mooring Depths: 2000, 3000 and 3400 m. CTD profiles in the area ~twice per year Doppler Curent metre Aanderaa RCM11

G. Riccobene, INFN-LNS Nikhef, May 24-25, 2012 Deep sea currents analysis Variability of T and S at about 1500 m w.d. Water becomes warmer and saltier after 2003 Variability of T and S at about 1500 m w.d. Water becomes warmer and saltier after 2003 Study of dynamics of marine bottom currents at >3000 m depth in the Ionian Sea NW Mesoscale activity Prevailing current with direction NW Average speed ~2 cm/s Mesoscale (10 km) activity observed Prevailing current with direction NW Average speed ~2 cm/s Mesoscale (10 km) activity observed

G. Riccobene, INFN-LNS Nikhef, May 24-25, 2012 Discovery of the mesoscale curent activity Bottom current 5 cm/s Top Bottom The annual time series analyses of current meter and in situ temperature revealed the existence of abyssal mesoscale activity: passage of vortical events Evidence of the passage of an undular vortex chain temperature bottom velocity Simulated velocity pattern associated to the passage of an anticyclone/cyclone/anticyclone train Time2001/12/ /02/06 Ant 1 Cyc 1 Ant 2 Cyc 1 Ant 1 Cyc 1 Ant 2 Cyc 2 Ant 3 Cyc 3

G. Riccobene, INFN-LNS Nikhef, May 24-25, 2012 Adriatic Water Aegean Water Possible explanation and perspectives Such an abyssal NW current (Adriatic?) in this region, its mesoscale activity, and the T, S variability could be due to a local origin or……to recent climate changes, waters of Aegean origin replaced waters of Adriatic origin in the abyssal Ionian basin Long term monitoring of currents and oceanographic data recieved in real time by new detectors in Capo Passero are expected to contribute to solve the problem: -NEMO Phase II and KM3NeT-Italia NEMO Phase II: -Doppler CM -2 CTDs -14 hydrophones -32 OMs Dedicated optical fiber link from deep sea to internet: Science Gateway to the deep Sea